Protecting our Boaders - Term Paper Example

In a 2010 CBS poll, a plurality of 32% of Americans graded the US with a “C” in its ability to protect against terrorist attacks. The same poll found that 55% of Americans thought that more comprehensive screening procedures in airports would be “Somewhat Effective” in stopping future terrorist attacks on airplanes. Furthermore, 74% supported the use of full body scan machines in airports (PollingReport.com). These polls show that Americans are concerned with how the government handles security in airports and are indeed supportive, in general, of increasing that security in order to reduce the overall threat of terror attacks to American travelers.

The overall issue is that airports serve as one form of US borders, and Americans are aware of the threats posed from outside US borders by those traveling alongside US citizens. Americans see it as a basic function of their government to secure their borders in this arena through airport security. According to a RAND Corporation report, the relationship between airports and borders is extensive. This report notes that the US has more than 100 international airports, and they see a great volume of activity as over 88 million passengers pass through these points of entry each year.

Airports have a number of stakeholders involved, including government agencies such as the TSA as mentioned, along with the Department of Homeland Security as well as the financing provided by state and local governments. Other stakeholders include the private companies that are responsible for ticketing, transportation, and those companies whose employees travel using airlines. In this sense, American interests in international airports are at the government level, in the private sector, as well as at the personal level for each individual who chooses to fly.

Thus, security or a lack thereof in airports can affect citizens economically, as well as create personal conveniences or conflicts, and can affect citizens politically in their approval of political parties’ stance on airport security and how effective those in office are at handling it. (Riley) The importance of airport security to Americans also is a social issue, as it demands a political correctness and sensitivity to the rights of citizens and even non-citizens who pass through security checkpoints.

There is often a delicate balance in providing staunch security while respecting travellers, and this is where the debate primarily rises. Government agencies produce long lines, are accused of profiling, and tend to invade what is usually considered personal space, yet also strive to avoid such results in order to satisfy travelers (Roston). As stated, these practices affect Americans daily as they travel, and help shape public opinion on the necessity and effectiveness of increased security.

When these invasive measures become better-known for their inconvenience then for their utility, debates rises on what changes are needed and whether security is more important than privacy. Both security and privacy are valued by Americans on a personal level and as a political value, and thus a conflict is born. The specific approaches to security come in many forms. The U.S. Federal Air Marshall Service was instated in 2003, and places trained agents on